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Fifa: No decision yet on World Cup 2022 in Qatar

Fifa has insisted no decision has been made over when to hold the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, despite its secretary-general Jerome Valcke telling French radio it will not be in the summer. Qatar say it "will be ready to host the World Cup regardless".

FIFA vice-president 'surprised' by World Cup statement

Britain's FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce said he was "totally surprised" at the statement the Qatar World Cup was to be moved - and confirmed the decision had to be taken by the executive committee.

He told Press Association Sport: "I was totally surprised this morning when I heard what Jerome has said.

Britain's FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce. Credit: Press Association

"As I understand it all the stakeholders will have discussions and report back to the executive committee of FIFA and no final decision will be made on when the 2022 World Cup would be played until December 2014 or March 2015.

"As far as I am concerned that remains the situation and there has been nothing said to me to make that any different."

Boyce, from Northern Ireland, said Valcke "may have been stating his personal opinion".

He also said there had been a general assumption that the 2022 World Cup could not be played in the summer due to the heat. That view has previously been expressed by UEFA's 54 member countries and FIFA president Sepp Blatter but no decision on alternative dates has been taken.